Foolery Sticks Her Neck Out: I Now Pronounce You . . .

 

(Original photo used by permission of Jeff Belmonte at Wikimedia Commons)

Here's my solution to the question of legalizing same-sex marriage. Are you ready? Are you sure? I'm not, but I really believe this.

First, the problem all started when Uncle Sam stuck his nose into what ought to be a religious institution. Okay, I get the need for making parents financially and legally accountable for their offspring, as well as other questions of spousal responsibility. But otherwise, I think marriage ought to be up to religious institutions.

 
(Original photo used by permission of Mila Zinkova at Wikimedia Commons)

So here's what I propose: revert all current marriages to civil unions in the eyes of the law. All of them. This includes my own marriage, y'all, so don't think I'm being high and mighty here. (Chas and I were married by a judge.)

 
(Photos used by permission of Susan Roberts and Wiki edit Jonny at Wikimedia Commons and stolen from these guys as well)

Same-sex civil unions would be equal to man-woman civil unions in the eyes of the law. The government gets what it wants and goes its merry way, buh-bye. Marriage would no longer be a legal institution.

The rest is left to institutions of faith and to the couples themselves. All civil unions -- man-woman couples and same-sex partners alike -- would be free to sanctify their unions under the religion of their choice. This is key, however: no religious institution would HAVE to perform a marriage ceremony for ANYBODY. The churches would be free to define marriage according to their interpretation and faith.  Anyone who had already been married by a priest, rabbi or minister would be both legally united and married in the eyes of their faith.

Also, while this is entirely my own original thinking, I can't say for a minute that it's new. I have no clue how many other people may have already committed these ideas to paper because honestly, I haven't researched. I've just been turning it over and over in my brain for a few months.

I'm ready for the slings and arrows now.

 

Comments

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy]

I think it makes sense. I eloped. Whether you call me married or civil unioned it doesn't change what I feel for my hubs.

[Kit]

I'm late to the party here, but had to say that this is as logical, reasonable and simple a solution as I have seen. It makes perfect sense.

[faux mccoy]

mr rebar and i have felt this way for some time. marriage is a legal contract, that is it's sole function in society. why would any religious institution be necessary for what is essentially contract law? hmmmmmm.

way to go sistah!

[The Glamorous Life Association]

Genius. Really genius.

I am right there with you.

[Meg]

I'm sorry, was someone talking? I got distracted by the photo of Judge Reinhold.

[Kyddryn]

No slings or arrows, sugar - I feel much the same way. I have often argued that, if marriage is a religious act the State has no business mucking with it in any way and it is the Church's right to decide who may wed within its bounds. If it's a State institution, then it is for EVERYONE. There cannot be special rights for some and not for others. Laws are for ALL, not a chosen few (which also happens to be one reason I think we need fewer laws).

I'll spare you the lecture on the history of marriage, why governments or religions feel the need to control sexual union, and what it actually means to have separation of church and state...it's too dang early.

Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who, as a minister, has performed several gay marriages which have outlasted her own)

[noe noe girl]

makes me no never mind!
<><

[Rick's Cafe]

....are you trying to tell us something? Does husband know? How did he take it?

[Audubon Ron]

I'm not into same sex marriage, BUT I think a guy should be able to have more than one wife if he wanted. I know... And by the way, WHERE did you find that picture of the sun shinning through the redwoods trees. I have seen that many years when I lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

That's Awesome with a capital A!!!!

[MommyTime]

The only thing you'd have to add is that all the LEGAL ramifications of marriage would have to be amended to be civil union based: health insurance, inheritance, tax implications, "family" memberships at everything from the gym to the museum...etc. But after that little hurdle, I think the plan is genius. Truly.

[Dirtdonthurtmom.wordpress.com]

sounds groovy to me. I was married by a judge, too. I don't care whether I'm married or one half of a civil union.

[boB Cleveland]

No slings and arrows from here, but history shows that the public acceptance of immorality has been a hallmark of every society that has ever fallen from within. I'd just prefer the USA get deep-sixed in some righteous war, rather than with the whimper of internal decay.

Oh, the other hallmark has been breakdown of law an order, which normally amounts to enforcement of laws. Or non-enforcement, to be accurate.